What you should know about elephant migration in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park – the world’s largest transfrontier conservation area.
Category Archives: Natural history
Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana
Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana.
China lifts ban and legalises tiger bone and rhino horn for medical purposes
China has revised a law on the ban of rhino horn and tiger bone products that would now allow domestic trade and use of the products for scientific, medical and cultural purposes.
REST – Rehabilitation & Conservation in Action
The morning sun was starting to make us sweat as we sat on the ground in a circle and waited. There wasn’t a breath of wind as small puffs of pale-yellow dust rose into the air, kicked up by four inquisitive creatures who were making their way towards us. Slowly but surely, they got within …
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Video: Gorilla males who babysit have greater reproduction success
Research reveals that male gorillas have greater reproductive success if they spend more time taking care of kids.
The Okapi: The Shy Forest Dwellers of Central Africa
The mysterious and enigmatic okapi is one of the oldest mammals on Earth, but it has only been known to the western world since the early 20th century. Covered in unusual markings on their rump and legs, okapi are elusive, shy and gentle, and nearly impossible to observe in the wild due to their secretive …
Continue reading “The Okapi: The Shy Forest Dwellers of Central Africa”
Discovering the forest birds of Maasai Mara
The banks of the Mara River in the Maasai Mara of Kenya offer ideal habitat for birds – and for bird-watchers, especially if you find a puddle of water, and especially during the heat of the day.
SA rhino film wins top awards at US film festivals
The South African feature documentary STROOP – Journey into the Rhino Horn War has won the coveted Best Documentary award at the prestigious San Diego International Film Festival held this past weekend.
Newborn giraffe: Defying the odds
It was an honour to watch this giraffe mother expertly care for her newborn in his first moments, magical to watch as he finally stood and heartwarming to witness his first steps.
Rhino Dehorning: Tip of the Iceberg
Before coming to Africa, I had little to no knowledge of the constant efforts being made to save our precious rhinos – one of Africa’s most iconic animals. Not long after arriving, however, I had the opportunity to photograph and assist in a rhino dehorning operation, a somewhat controversial method of hopeful poaching prevention, and …
3 Epic safaris to do before you kick the bucket
Our 3 epic safaris to do in Africa before you kick the bucket! Life is short and these safaris are the best life investment
Kruger’s roaming lions
“Never a dull moment in the bush” is something my husband and I tell each other all the time. Well, that is certainly true for the events of a few weekends ago when a male lion got out of our stunning Kruger National Park!
Kruger 10-year management plan
SANParks has released its Kruger National Park management plan covering the next 10 years. This 259-page report is essential reading for Kruger fans who enjoy debating the issues that the Kruger management team has to deal with on a regular basis, such as problem-animal management, hotels in Kruger and trophy hunting of free-roaming wildlife on reserves adjoining Kruger.
Video: How cracks in an elephant’s skin keep it cool
An in-depth study of the African elephant’s wrinkly skin has revealed how its intricate design helps to keep the animal cool, protect them from parasites and prevent dehydration in their dry habitat.
Cannibal cobras
While Cape cobras are known to eat other snake species – up to a third of their diet – recorded instances of Cape cobras eating individuals of the same species has been extremely rare… until now, when researchers investigated and discovered how common and widespread cannibalism in cobras really is.
Kenya’s Shaba National Reserve: Wild Africa at its best
Shaba National Reserve, lying deep in northern Kenya’s expanse, is a stunning wilderness home to dramatic gorges, open plains and extinct volcanoes.
Social media’s role in advertising illegal wildlife trade, including cheetah trafficking
Cheetah Conservation Fund data analysis confirms social media role in advertising illegal wildlife trade, including trafficking of cheetahs for illegal pet trade.
Video: Searching for the elusive green-breasted pitta
The green-breasted pitta already holds the dubiously honourable rank of number ONE African bogey bird in my books, a title am hoping to strip off today.
Botswana elephant poaching debate: Wildlife vet speaks his mind
Botswana elephant poaching debate: Wildlife vet speaks his mind.
Kenya’s Lion Guardians
Dawn is just breaking when Kamunu Saitoti sets out across the Amboseli bush in search of lions. At first glance, he appears much like any other Maasai warrior: Lean and tall, his dark red shuka is wrapped around his torso and waist concealing his only weapon, a long knife with a simple wooden handle. Brightly …
DEA announces 2018 rhino and elephant poaching stats to date
The South African Department of Environmental Affairs announces 2018 rhino and elephant poaching stats to date.
Tracking with the Ju/’Hoansi Master Trackers in Kruger
The last three Master Trackers of the Ju/’hoanis from Nyae Nyae in Namibia were invited to the Kruger in South Africa to participate in some pioneering trails. They came to display their extraordinary tracking prowess to guests participating in walking trails. This is an account of their journey.
Great Lakes: A Solo, Man-powered Expedition
In early 2018, I set out to journey across the three largest of the African Great Lakes: Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Victoria. My objective was to traverse the region by “fair means”: solo, self-sufficient, and entirely human-powered. I would start in the south, and make my away across the lakes via kayak, paddling …
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Elephant hunting: Botswana initiates month-long consultation process
Botswana initiated on Wednesday a month of public hearings to decide whether to lift the 2014 hunting ban, including elephant hunting.
Scientists question BBC reporting over elephant poaching crisis in Botswana
A group of prominent scientists have questioned the reporting by the BBC of the elephant poaching crisis in Botswana.
Video: 500 animals journey from Kruger to Zinave
The past two months saw the translocation of zebra, blue wildebeest and impala from Kruger National Park in South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique. The overall goal is to reintroduce 7,500 game animals in Zinave over the next five years and to date over 1,300 animals have been rewilded to the park.
Elephant poaching: Botswana gov provides context, questions irresponsible reporting
The government of Botswana responds to the recent reports alleging that about 90 elephants were killed recently.
Namibian ‘problem’ lion dies during relocation, remaining five are safe in a private reserve
Tragedy as a Namibian desert-adapted lion dies during relocation. This follows two unsuccessful attempts to relocate six ‘problem’ lions to a national park. The five remaining lions are now safe in a private reserve.
Oral vaccination protects Ethiopian wolves – Africa’s most endangered carnivore
Over the past month, a team from the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) implemented the first oral vaccination campaign to pre-empt outbreaks of rabies among Ethiopian wolves, the world’s most endangered canid, in their stronghold in the Bale Mountains of southern Ethiopia.
Elephants: Listen to the people of the Okavango – opinion
The elephant – an iconic species that is beloved around the world is not such a gentle giant to the people who actually live with Earth’s largest mammal. This is the story of over 16,000 people from 15 settlements in the eastern Okavango Delta panhandle who are trapped between a river and over 18,000 elephants.
Video: 90 African buffalo welcomed into community conservancy in Zambia
Peace Parks Foundation has presented 90 African buffalo to the communities of the Simalaha Community Conservancy, with an additional 110 buffalo still to be brought in over the next month.
Video: Lions return to Malawi’s Liwonde National Park
African Parks has completed a series of lion translocations as part of wider efforts to restore Malawi’s parks; and for the first time in 20 years, a population of the iconic predators has been re-established in Liwonde National Park.
The Chimpanzee: Our Forest Kin
“The alpha male chimp was sitting in the forest path ahead, staring into the distance in a melancholy way as if contemplating life’s challenges, chin resting on balled fist. My party and I were waiting it out, aware that it was us who were intruding on his territory and home. He knew we were waiting …
New survey: Lion breeding industry harming South Africa’s reputation
A nationwide survey has revealed that the majority of South Africans believe the captive lion breeding industry is harming the country’s international reputation.
Leopard hunting quota was issued despite official report showing significant population declines
The official report into leopard populations reveals significant population reductions, and yet the SA government has announced a resumption in trophy hunting. Does this make sense? A respected biologist suggests not.
Sierra Leone’s Turtle Islands: The ultimate digital detox
A journey to Sierra Leone’s Turtle Islands provides a technology-free escape like no other.
Safari tips: Going on safari with kids
Travelling with kids on a safari in Africa may seem like a daunting task. They can get bored very easily, especially on long road trips, and keeping their attention and interest piqued about wildlife can become a tedious, exhausting and stressful task. However, with proper planning and armed with the knowledge of what your kids enjoy, you can make a safari quite an enjoyable and memorable experience for the whole family.
Biologist questions science behind leopard trophy hunting quota
After only two years of no leopard hunting, we now have apparently accumulated enough population data to reinstate a hunting quota and lift the zero quota. I find this very hard to believe for such a cryptic species.
SA reinstates leopard hunting quota – 7 to be shot this year
Leopard hunting: South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs has issued a quota of seven leopards for trophy hunting during 2018.
Researchers use “biological passport” to monitor whale sharks – Earth’s largest fish
A new study has revealed endangered whale sharks inhabit smaller geographical scales than previously documented, which suggests they may be at increased risk of local extinction if good conservation management is not in place.
Elephant saved by vets in Kenya after being hit twice with poison arrows
Struck with two poison arrows, an elephant bull faced a slow and painful death, but fortunately he survived thanks to quick intervention.
Video: South African rhino doing circus tricks in Russia – what’s next for our wildlife industry?
A two-ton white rhino, sold from a South African farm, is being forced to perform tricks at Russian circuses.
Where have all the chameleons gone?
So what really has happened to all the chameleons in South Africa? We look at several factors which can affect their populations.
Elephants migrate despite boundaries and borders
A new study from the Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU) at the University of Pretoria (UP) set out to unravel migration in the world’s largest terrestrial mammal: the savanna elephant.
Update on rhino translocation fiasco: WWF-Kenya admits mistakes were made
WWF-Kenya has admitted that grave mistakes were made in the translocation operation in Kenya which saw 10 out of 11 critically endangered black rhinos die.
The Extinction Business: Lion bone trade threatens world’s big cats
The Extinction Business: South Africa’s ‘Lion’ Bone Trade is an investigative report by EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading that reveals startling and alarming factors that have a significant negative impact on worldwide big cat conservation.
Update on rhino translocation fiasco: Tenth black rhino dies, remaining survivor attacked by lions
A tenth endangered black rhino has reportedly died after a botched translocation, according to Kenya’s tourism minister.
200 Elephants to be moved from South Africa to Mozambique
De Beers Group, in partnership with Peace Parks Foundation, has begun to transport 200 elephants across 1,500km from the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve in South Africa to Mozambique.
The Cape Leopard
The Cape leopard is the stuff of legends. This seldom seen, highly elusive apex predator survives in some of the most inhospitable habitat possible – the rugged, low nutritional fynbos biome of the Cape Fold Mountain ranges. Despite the habitat limitations, this region did historically host many wildlife species such as black rhino, Cape mountain …
Costly communication: Heaviside’s dolphins risk being heard by eavesdropping killer whales
Research has found that the risky vocal behaviour of Heaviside’s dolphins put them at risk from killer whale attacks.
South Africa’s lion bone export quota set at 1,500 skeletons
The DEA has announced that the new lion bone export quota will allow 1,500 lion skeletons from captive-bred lions to be exported annually from South Africa.
8 Endangered black rhinos die after translocation in Kenya
Eight out of 14 critically endangered black rhinos have died after being moved to a reserve in southern Kenya, wildlife officials have revealed.
Join ‘Rise of the Matriarch’: An all-female expedition across southern Africa
In September 2018, the second, all-female Journeys With Purpose expedition, called ‘Rise of the Matriarch’, will make its way through various southern African countries, taking a limited number of people to visit some extraordinary places and conservation projects.
Skye the lion – the beginning of the end for trophy hunting in the Greater Kruger?
The highly controversial shooting of a male lion by a trophy hunter in the Umbabat section of the Greater Kruger could conceivably mark the beginning of the end for trophy hunting in this part of Africa.
Elephants with a purpose
Why did 53 elephants travel more than 1,250 km across three different countries this month? Here’s why.
Cheetah cub survival impacted by high-tourism areas
A study has found that high levels of tourism can have a negative impact on the rearing of cheetah cubs to independence.
Death of desert-adapted lion: Namibian minister explains policy and requests understanding
The Namibian Minister of Environment and Tourism has responded to the killing of the male desert-adapted lion, Gretsky (XPL 99).
Video: Processionary caterpillars
Processionary caterpillars are recognised by their behaviour of following each other head to tail in long, single file trails.
Video: Battle of the boars
A field guide in the Kruger National Park witnesses an epic battle between to warthog boars.
Investigating South Africa’s wildlife cryptotrade
A casual search of some of South Africa’s biggest online marketplaces shows just how easily endangered wildlife species are reduced to their parts – and how simple it is to sell them online while retaining anonymity.
Video: Lions make a comeback
With wild lions under pressure from so many threats, this is a wonderful story of lions being reintroduced to an area that used to have lions.
Opinion: The (high) road to a Greater Kruger National Park
An alternative, constructive perspective to the Greater Kruger Protected Area is offered, in contrast to the more acrimonious narratives that are doing the rounds in response to the hunting of a lion in the area.
The demise of the baobabs – a climate change warning?
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to life on this planet, and there is a sad irony that baobabs which are known as ‘the trees of life’, are amongst the first casualties.
Botswana MP proposes lifting elephant hunting ban
Botswana’s parliament has adopted a motion requesting the government to consider lifting the ban on the hunting of elephants in areas that are not designated as game reserves and national parks.
Rhino breeder John Hume says he is on verge of bankruptcy, appeals for cash
The world’s largest private rhino breeder, John Hume, is on the verge of bankruptcy, leaving questions open as to what will happen to his 1,626 southern white rhinos.
Giraffes – The Silent Extinction
It’s hard to comprehend that giraffe numbers have plummeted by almost 40% in just three decades. This rapid slide now places them amongst the most threatened species on the planet, with only approximately 98,445 (subsequently increased to 115,322) individuals remaining across this massive African continent! A population collapse of this nature could conceivably be driven …
Lion killings: Namibian NGOs respond to questions from abroad about lion management
In light of the recent backlash against Namibia for the death of a desert-adapted lion, Dr Chris Brown, CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Environment, responds to a foreign national’s questions regarding Namibia’s management of lions in the wild.
My fight to save Liberia’s pangolins
Two steps forward, one step back in pangolin conservation. Liberia is a country in West Africa that has overcome civil war, battled through the Ebola crisis and is currently recovering from the impacts. But there is one more issue to confront – the illegal wildlife and bushmeat trade.
Guarding Limpopo National Park’s carnivores
A new carnivore protection ranger force, the Limpopo Lion Protection Team, has been trained and deployed – specifically assigned to support the Greater Limpopo Carnivore Programme and tasked with securing known lion ranges from targeted lion poaching.
Lions tested for tuberculosis in Greater Kruger
A veterinarian and the ProVet Wildlife team recently darted a pride of five lions in the northern part of Greater Kruger to test for TB.
Gretzky, a desert-adapted lion, shot by Namibian authorities after killing livestock
Gretzky, the iconic Huab River male desert-adapted lion, who sired and established the Ugab Pride has been shot and killed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) at De Rust Farm.
Gorillas, chimps and lemurs among species in danger of imminent mass extinction
The majority of primate species, including chimpanzees, gorillas and lemurs, are on the brink of extinction, and scientists fear that without a concerted global effort they will soon be gone for good.
Mysterious deaths of ancient baobabs leave scientists baffled
A new survey of baobab trees across several countries in southern Africa found that most of the oldest and largest of trees have died or significantly deteriorated in the last 12 years.
Kruger lion hunted – what we know
A large male lion was trophy hunted on Thursday morning last week in the Greater Kruger National Park.
Zambia’s hippo cull: Valid concerns and questions from those affected
A showdown is looming between tourism operators in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and trophy hunters, in the wake of the Zambian government’s decision to cull up to 2,000 hippos over a 5-year period in Luangwa Valley, across the river from the tourism lodges – and to award the culling contract to a South African trophy hunting outfit Umlilo Safaris (so much for the empowerment of local people and generation of revenue that stays in Zambia).
Mountain gorilla numbers surpass 1,000
The population of mountain gorillas, one of the world’s most endangered species,, has increased by a quarter to over 1,000 individuals since 2010, wildlife authorities said.
The black & white of African wildlife explained
Every now and then nature experiments by producing a black or white mutation of an animal or bird that is otherwise normally coloured. There is something magical about seeing a white lion, black leopard or ‘king’ cheetah in the wild, as if it were a spiritual shadow of the species, a form of higher being.
Opinion: Africa is not Disneyland
Some imagery that comes to our screens can be tough to stomach, and every now and then Africa really tests one’s emotional make-up.
Zambia hippo cull via trophy hunting not as high as 2,000, says minister
The Zambian government on Tuesday denied reports that it has authorised the culling of 2,000 hippos in the Luangwa Valley.
Forest hornbills being decimated in Ghana
Six out of eight Ghanaian forest hornbill species have shown significant population declines due to uncontrolled hunting, according to a long-term research project.
Zambia reinstates plan to cull 2,000 hippos
Zambian authorities have overturned their 2016 decision to suspend the culling of up to 2,000 hippos in Luangwa Valley.
Elephant cow with calf saved from snare
An elephant cow, with a 2-week-old baby in tow, needed all the help she could get after sustaining a serious injury from a poaching snare.
How cheetahs modify prey handling behaviour to outsmart lions and hyenas
Cheetahs in the Serengeti National Park change their behaviour when handling large kills based on the threats presented by lions and hyenas, according to researchers.
Ranger forces strengthened in Mozambique
On 16 May 2018, 39 recruits, of which three are women, celebrated their graduation as rangers during a passing out parade held in the Limpopo National Park, Mozambique. This follows the successful completion of a gruelling eight-week ranger training course presented by the Southern African Wildlife College, that prepared the new recruits for their stand against wildlife crime in the various conservation areas to which they will soon be deployed.
Terminally ill Vietnamese find comfort in rhino horn
A recent study has revealed that the reasons why the Vietnamese buy illegal rhino horn is not only for medical and health-related reasons, but also as a form of comfort to those that are terminally ill.
Tanzania invites bids for logging in Selous to pave way for huge hydropower plant
The Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) has invited tenders for large-scale logging in the Selous Game Reserve, a world-renowned wildlife area, where it plans to construct a large hydropower plant.
9 Fascinating facts about black-footed cats
Here are 9 facts about the smallest species of wild cat in Africa, the black-footed cat – also known as the small-spotted cat.
Kenya to fast-track laws to make wildlife killing capital offence
Kenya will fast-track laws to make wildlife poaching a capital offence as part of the country’s bid to conserve flora and fauna.
Attacks by captive carnivores – the stats revealed in open letter to minister
A formal letter to the Minister of Environmental Affairs from some of the top wildlife NGOs in the country about the captive carnivore interactions in South Africa. Records show that at least 37 incidents of captive carnivore attacks have occurred since 1996, affecting no less than 40 victims.
Identifying venomous snakes: How hard can it be?
Identifying venomous snakes is a lot more complicated than you’d think. There aren’t any hard and fast rules to distinguish a venomous snake from a non-venomous snake in southern Africa, and many people get bitten by snakes that they misidentify as ‘harmless’. Here we look at some misconceptions when it comes to venomous and non-venomous snake identification, and what to do when you encounter a venomous snake.
SA hunters expelled over canned lion hunting
Two South African hunting associations that embrace canned lion hunting have lost an appeal to retain their membership to Europe’s top hunting organisation, and have been thrown out of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation for breach of policy.
Giraffe survives despite deformed jaw
Despite a deformed jaw, this giraffe cow has been able to adapt and survive in the Kruger National Park.
Should businesses pay to use animals in their logos and marketing efforts?
Many charismatic species such as elephants, lions, tigers and pandas face the threat of extinction, despite being held up as the poster characters for conservation.
Wild black rhinos to return to Chad after 50-year absence
An unprecedented collaboration between the South African and Chadian Governments, SANParks and African Parks, is enabling the translocation of critically endangered black rhinos from South Africa to a secure park in Chad on the 3rd May, reintroducing the species to the country after almost fifty years of local extinction.
Lion mass slaughter house
The Blood Lions team and other environmentalists reacted with horror to reports that a lion slaughterhouse was established ‘overnight’ on a farm outside Bloemfontein.
Impalas cry wolf, so say zebras!
It turns out that impalas are the drama queens of the African bushveld, and other species know it, and don’t take their predator alarm calls too seriously.
Wild grey parrot trapping methods are ruinous, says new research
A research paper has investigated how different capture methods and other aspects of the grey parrot trade, other than just the actual volume of birds taken from the wild, can affect sustainability of harvest.
Another collared elephant shot outside Zim national park
Hunters in Zimbabwe have shot dead a bull elephant collared by scientists for research purposes, the second such killing in a month, a conservation group says.
Wild dogs return to Gorongosa after decades of absence
Wild dogs will soon roam free in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique for the first time in decades.